Sheinbaum Rejects Trump Caravan Claim, Says None Reached US Border
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum disputed Donald Trump's claim of large migrant caravans heading north, a day after he threatened to double tariffs on Mexican goods. She said no caravan has reached the US border since January 2025, while about 1,500 migrants travel through southern Mexico.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said at her November 12 news conference that no migrant caravan has reached the US border since January 2025. She was rejecting US President Donald Trump's claim that large caravans are marching north, and his description of them as an invasion.
Her response followed Trump's threat to immediately double tariffs on Mexican goods unless Mexico stops migrants traveling through the country.
"Not a single migrant caravan has reached the north" since January 2025, Sheinbaum said, referring to the US border.
Trump's Truth Social warning
Trump made the threat in a November 12 post on Truth Social. "Here we go again! With the perceived loss by the Republicans in the Midterms - I WAS NOT ON THE BALLOT- the INVASION of our Country is taking place again," he wrote.
He added that "Huge CARAVANS are forming and beginning their illegal march through Mexico." His demand: "MEXICO MUST STOP THEM, NOW, and if they do not do so, the Tariffs on Mexico will be IMMEDIATELY DOUBLED."
Trump did not say which existing tariffs would rise, or when a doubling would take effect.
What Sheinbaum said
Sheinbaum acknowledged that migrant groups are moving through Mexico. She said authorities explain to them the obstacles they would face trying to enter the United States.
She ruled out using force to break up the groups. Mexican officials, she said, have considerable experience accompanying migrants and informing them about their chances of crossing the border.
She described a separate group of about 600 migrants in Chiapas. Most had dispersed after receiving information about the difficulties of reaching the United States, she said. Officials were also talking with several hundred Honduran migrants about returning home.
The caravan on the road
The latest group left Tapachula, a city near Mexico's border with Guatemala, on November 10. It numbered about 1,500 people, most of them from Central America, with many families and young children.
Calling itself "God With Us," the group initially planned to reach Mexico City, more than 1,000 kilometers away. Its aim was to seek help and protection from Mexican authorities before continuing north.
Some participants said Democratic wins in the US midterm elections, which gave the party control of Congress, had raised their hopes. Nicaraguan migrant Cesar Sandoval said, "There might be a light at the end of the tunnel, a way for us to get in."
Researcher Ivan Porraz urged caution. "As long as Trump remains president, the deportations will not stop," he said.
